WEATHERSFIELD TWP. Trustee warns officials of more financial cuts

A potential state tax cut could mean a $25,000 loss for the township. MINERAL RIDGE -- Although Weathersfield Township Administrator David Pugh says township departments are being encouraged to be thrifty this year, Trustee John Vogel wants budgets to be cut by 10 percent in anticipation of a reduction in state assistance. Vogel told trustees at their regular meeting Tuesday the state Legislature is looking at reducing the Local Government Tax distribution that flows into the general fund of townships. Vogel said he believes the township should cut expenses by 10 percent now to make it easier in the long run. But Pugh said the township is already trying to cut back on expenses, using as an example a township road crew employee who is skilled enough to make needed repairs on a fire engine door, a cruiser mirror and a trunk lid. "We are going to get as thrifty as we can in the next few months," Pugh said. "Hopefully we won't get our legs cut out from under us by the state." The township receives $173,000 in Local Government Tax funds. If the talked about cuts go through, about $25,000 would be lost. Also In other business: UTrustees presented a plaque to honor Frank Birskovich, 91, of 2957 Carl Street, Niles, for his many years of service to the community as a member of the township's Board of Zoning Appeals. Birskovich, his wife, Helen, and son David came forward to accept the plaque. Birskovich retired last spring after serving on the board for so long that he said he could not remember when he started his tenure, and the township could find not find a record of when he first came on the board. "I had a wonderful time when I could be there," he told trustees. UTrustees also presented plaques to honor two top Mineral Ridge High School football players, Levi Leigh, who set a career rushing record at the school this year and was named the Inter-County League Player of the Year and Trumbull County Player of the Year, and Nick Menichini, a defensive lineman who was named to the All-Ohio 2004 Division V team. Coach Sean Brown was also honored with a plaque for the team's 2004 ICL championship accomplishment. UTwo residents told trustees that Farmington Street is falling apart after a new sewer line was put in by the county and is impassable for many motor vehicles. They noted that slag put on the street after the sewer line was installed is sinking. Vogel said mail delivery was interrupted by the road conditions Tuesday. UTrustees accepted the resignation of fire Lt. John Williamson, who has moved to Pittsburgh.